The Sports PR Company

Patrice Evra

Date of birth
15/05/81
Place of birth
Dakar, Senegal
Nationality
French
Height
5’9
Weight
11st 10lb
Playing position
Defender
Current club
Manchester United

Patrice Evra was born in Dakar, capital of Senegal. The son of a diplomat, Evra moved to Brussels from Senegal when he was 1 year old before the family settled in Les Ulis, Essonne, France. Evra has 23 brothers and sisters.

During his teenage years, Evra began his career as a striker for Paris Saint-Germain's youth system.

Though he never received a professional contract, he was spotted by a scout for small Italian-side Marsala and was eventually signed by the club. In 27 appearances Patrice made for Marsala as a striker, Evra scored 6 goals and was popular with the locals who dubbed him "the Black Gazelle". The next season, he joined Monza in Serie B, but only made 3 appearances as the coach showed little interest in the teenager.

Frustrated at the lack of games, Evra returned to France for Nice in Ligue 2. In his first several matches, he played as a centre forward but due to injuries within the club, he was made to play as a left back during a game versus Stade Lavallois. In several matches after, manager Sandro Salvioni utilized Evra in defence. During the remainder of the season, Salvioni continued to alternate him between the two positions. Evra shined in defence and was later named Ligue 2's best left back.

AS Monaco's manager Didier Deschamps, impressed by Evra's defensive efforts, signed him from Nice in 2002 and he quickly become part of the regular defence. In his first season with the club, Monaco reached the 2004 UEFA Champions League Final but was defeated 3–0 by F.C. Porto. His performances lead to his call-up for international duty for the French national team.

In 2005, Evra was named team captain for several games during the season, but Monaco had a tough time, being knocked out of the qualifying rounds of the 2005-06 UEFA Champions League and remaining in the bottom half of Ligue 1 table for most of the season.

On 10th January 2006, Evra signed a 3˝ year contract for Manchester United, having joined for a transfer fee of around Ł5.5 million. Signing just days after the capture of Nemanja Vidic, Evra's arrival signalled Sir Alex Ferguson's intention to shore up a United defence.

He played his home debut against Liverpool on 22 January 2006 in a 1-0 win and on 29 November 2006, he scored his first goal for the club in a Premiership match against Everton at Old Trafford. After a spell out of the squad, Evra made his comeback on 10 April 2007 in the Champions League match against Roma at Old Trafford, contributing to Manchester United's 7-1 win. Due to his efforts, Evra earned a place in the PFA Team of the Year.

During United's 07-08 season, Evra became a key member of United's defence, making 47 appearances in all competitions, the highest in his career. United clinched their second consecutive Premier League title on the final day, edging Chelsea by two points. Patrice had 10 appearances for United in the UEFA Champions League, including the Final in which United defeated Chelsea 6-5 on penalties. On 12 June 2008, Evra signed four-year extension with United, a deal which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2012.